âI know, but heâs worth developing. Director Zhao, donât you want to discover a new star?â
âHmm, thatâs a bold idea. Alright, kid, what can you do?â
Ye Aotian replied, âMartial arts, does that count?â
They all looked at Ye Aotian, who then demonstrated a set of martial arts moves. He was full of energy, and they could hear the powerful swishing of his fists in the air.
The director was stunnedâheâs a real martial artist.
Cao Zijing added, âAn action star is worth developing. But without any acting skills, that wonât work. So, you need to act something out.â
Ye Aotian looked at Cao Zijing and asked, âWhat should I act?â
âAn objectless performanceâan essential skill for actors. Letâs start with something simple. You know animals, right? Try acting like an animal and see if you can make it convincing.â
Ye Aotian glanced at Fei Fei, who gave him an encouraging look. Ye Aotian then relaxed, realizing they werenât mocking him. In fact, heâd heard a bit about thisâa performance without props, like pretending to be plants, trees, or even animals, was part of it.
âWhat animal do you want me to act as?â
âPlay a dog; itâs not too difficult, right?â
Ye Aotian nodded, got down on the floor, and started crawling forward. Then he barked twice.
âNow act like a dog peeing.â Ye Aotian hesitated, then lifted one leg.
The director applauded.
Impressiveâdefinitely has acting potential.
âOh, you see a female dog.â
Ye Aotian looked at Cao Zijing, clearly wondering if she was messing with him.
The director was also surprised and asked, âUh, how do you act that out?â
Ye Aotian thought for a moment, then panted with his tongue out, like a dog feeling hot.
The director nodded and said, âImpressive, really impressive. You definitely have acting talent. Unleashing your natureâwell done, well done.â
Cao Zijing stood up and said, âCongratulations, youâve passed the audition. Youâre the lead actor now.â
Tao Xiaoyao was increasingly confused.
What was Cao Zijing thinking? Could she be considering whether she might like Ye Aotian?
Logically, if you know the plot, shouldnât you try to keep the protagonist from filming here? Or maybe she ⦠Wait, Tao Xiaoyao thought of something terrifyingâthis woman had just taken a photo.
Cao Zijing didnât disregard Ye Aotian; she cared quite a lot. But what she cared about was finding a way to ruin him. This woman had no interest in loving himâshe just wanted to play with him.
Indeed, all the female leads were not to be trifled with, especially since she was a villain among them.
âYou think heâs suitable?â
Cao Zijing replied, âYes, I do think heâs suitable. Why, is that not allowed, Director?â
âIf you think heâs suitable, then there should be no problem. Fei Fei, Iâll send you the script later. Be in charge of managing it, okay?â
âDonât worry, Director, youâre going to see a rising star.â
Ye Aotian looked at Cao Zijing, who smiled back, but her smile felt strangeânot genuine, almost formulaic.
âDo we know each other?â
âNope, but Iâve heard of you. Youâre my future husbandâs mortal enemy, so I came to check you out. Is that a problem?â
The director was dumbfounded. Where was this going?
He looked at Cao Zijing in disbelief.
Cao Zijing continued, âWhatâs wrong? You donât plan to kill me too, do you? Ah, those are some scary eyesâare you going to hit me?â
Ye Aotian replied, âIâm not that petty. I know the rulesâI donât harm innocents.â
âThank you.â
Ye Aotian chuckled. He knew his instincts were rightâthis woman was no good.
âDonât stare at me, or Iâll think youâve fallen in love with me. I already have a husband, and you have a girlfriend.â
Ye Aotian paused and said, âGirlfriend? Looks like you know a lot about me.â
âYes, I not only investigated you but also know your daily habits. I know what you like to eat for each meal. See how much I care about you.â
This was a direct threat.
Ye Aotian understood that she was saying that if she wanted to poison him, he wouldnât even notice.
âI met with Lin Qingyueâsheâs very beautiful. No wonder both of you are interested in her.â
âWhat did you do to Lin Qingyue?â
Cao Zijing replied, âI didnât do anything, just got along well with her. After all, when I marry Chen Fan, Iâll be the first wife. She can be the second wife.â
âYou ⦠Lin Qingyue could never like Chen Fan.â
Cao Zijing said, âWho can predict matters of the heart? By the way, do you know about Xiao Lanâs ex-boyfriend?â
âSo what, are you trying to disgust me? Or say something else? Xiao Lan is a good person. If you insult her, Iâll be very unpleasant with you.â
Cao Zijing replied, âI wouldnât do that. Iâm a fairyâhow could I speak ill of other women? Oh, by the way, I heard her ex is in prison. He was caught stealing, apparently ugly, poor, and cowardly.â
Success. Ye Aotian was indeed disgusted.
Sometimes, a man can overlook a womanâs past, but itâs hard to accept if her ex was a loser.
âThatâs enough.â
Cao Zijing sighed and said, âYou have a bad temper. Fei Fei, you need to talk to him about it. In the industry, people with bad tempers get bullied easily. Thatâs not good.â
âYes, yes, Iâll talk to him about it.â
Fei Fei quickly pulled Ye Aotian away.
At this moment, Cao Zijing picked up her phone and video-called Chen Fan.
âHoney, honey, did you miss me?â
âGet to the point.â
âI sent you a videoâitâs of Ye Aotian acting like a dog. Itâs hilarious; he really looks like one. Take a look.â
Chen Fan glanced at it
But itâs not like he could get angry over a plot deviation.
He had to laugh out loud.
âHahaha, never thought Iâd see Ye Aotian like this. He really does look like a stray dog.â
âDarling, I also told Ye Aotian about Xiao Lanâs ex. Do you think he might try to kill me now? You better send someone to protect me!â
Chen Fan just wondered if the plot had gone entirely off track? Normally, in this scene, the protagonist should show off his acting skills and leave everyone stunned.
As long as that purpose was achieved, then everythingâs fine.
âSo, he became the male lead?â
âYes, heâs got the part. His acting was too convincing; heâs definitely got the skills. So, of course, heâs the male lead.â
Thank goodness. Chen Fan sighed in relief. He almost thought heâd have to start all over.